Demand for herbal medicine increases in Syria

The demand for herbal medicine has significantly increased in Syria over the past years because of the sky-high prices of medicines and the high cost of a doctor’s visit.

“People come to herbal medicine stores to buy herbs for treating diabetes, rheumatism, kidney problems, headaches and cold, and they find positive results, “ Ziad Sharbaji, who works at a herb store in Al-Bzoreyeh market in Damascus, told Syria Times.

He indicated that there are ready mixtures for treating each disease and people demand the ones that have been recommended by their relatives or friends or via social media.

“People also buy herbs for cosmetic treatment such as treating gray hair, leishmaniasis, hair loss, obesity, acne…etc…Moreover, there are demands for barley, dandelions and horsetail to remedy the problems of kidney,”  Mr. Sharbaji added, pointing out that lemon balm is widely demanded as it reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion.

A 50-year-old woman, who was buying several types of herbs and oils from the store, told us: “ I had lower back pain that later extended to my leg, and it was  unbearable. I could not walk or even sleep….I used medicine but it was useless. So, one doctor scheduled an urgent surgical procedure because I had a slipped disc in my lower back. But I did not undergo the surgery because I could not afford it, and I was afraid of the possible post-surgery complications and pain….One day, one of my family members told me to visit a herbal medicine specialist, so I did that and he gave me a natural recipe consisting of a mixture of ginger oil and melted lamb fat, to rub and massage the pain area with. He also gave me nervine tonics and taught me some back exercises to do at home. After a month and a half , my condition improved by 80%; the pain disappeared, and I no longer needed surgery.

This woman prefers herbs to medicine because she believes that herbs have no side effects and their  price is affordable. “ I do not have to pay money for consulting herbal medicine specialist, while the cost of doctor’s visit is 25,000 Syrian Pounds,” She clarified.

Near the woman, there was a 25-year- old customer, who was demanding a mixture for diabetes. “ He told the apothecary [Known as Al-Attar in Arabic] that he wants herbs to reduce his blood glucose level to be normal. He bought a mixture of herbs after he provided Al-Attar with information about the type of diabetes he has and the type of food he eats daily.

Al-Attar’s role is like a pharmacist. Customers explain their symptoms and he produces a mixture of spices and herbs along with a method of using it.

Another owner of herbal store in the same are, who talked to us anonymously, said: “ people are turning to herbal remedies to treat every-day illnesses because of the high prices of medicines. The sales of herbs has remarkably increased over the past years, especially in winter. We pass down the way of preparing mixture to our sons to keep it.”

He asserted that a lot of people have recovered from many diseases after they used herbal mixtures. “ As you know, some types of medicines are made from herbs due to their affectivity.

The profession of apothecary has been developed by the generations, who inherited it from their grandfathers, according to Mohammad Darkal, who has a herbal store in Al-Bzoreyeh market.

“In the market, the herbs are similar but what distinguishes a shop from the other is the availability of rare herbs and the accurate knowledge of the characteristics of each herb, he added, indicating that the market dates back to 270 years ago and it includes 150 stores.

Interviewed by : Basma Qaddour